Honing Apparatus for Sharpening Cutting Tools

ABSTRACT

A honing apparatus has a top section which is disposed in a horizontal, transverse plane. First and second guide rails extend along the sides of the top section. A sharpening stone tray is located within the top section between the guard rails and a sharpening stone is positioned within the tray. An electric motor drives the sharpening stone tray in reciprocating motion within a path parallel to the horizontal plane of the top section. A clamp unit is located over the sharpening stone and secures a cutting tool at a given angle on and in relation to the sharpening stone. The reciprocating movement of the sharpening stone allows for precise sharpening of the cutting tool secured in the clamp unit.

RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of provisional application Ser. No. 62/209,484, filed on Aug. 25, 2015.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to the field of cutting tool sharpening operations for industrial, commercial, and home use.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

There are a variety of motorized sharpening devices available on the market which attempt to achieve the two primary goals of sharpening, accuracy and speed. Examples of such motorized devices are the Tormek Grinding System and the Work Sharp Disk Grinding System. However, these and similar systems are prohibitively expensive. They are devices which, by their nature, grind away a significant part of the cutting tool or blade with each use, another distinct disadvantage of these devices. In addition, the variety of grinding grits available to be used with such systems is limited and costly. As such machines are grinders, they are also large and bulky and thus are not portable. None have reciprocating sharpening stones, so they are less efficient as well.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is thus the object of the present invention to provide a unique honing apparatus for sharpening cutting tools which overcomes the limitations and disadvantages of existing tool sharpening devices.

The present invention is a motorized honing apparatus which propels a variety of commercially available sharpening stones and diamond coated steels on a precision reciprocating path at approximately 200 rpm, allowing the user to sharpen a variety of tools, bits, cutters, blades, knives, scissors, and various other similar tools in a quick, efficient, and precise manner. The apparatus is configured to accept numerous types of honing stones, diamond coated steel plate sharpeners, ceramic backed abrasives, and glass backed abrasive stones.

The honing apparatus of the present invention comprises a housing having a top section which is disposed in a horizontal plane. First and second guide rails extend along the sides of the top section. A sharpening stone tray is located within the top section between the guard rails and a sharpening stone is positioned within the tray. An electric motor drives the sharpening stone tray in reciprocating motion within a path parallel to the horizontal plane of the top section. A clamp unit is located over the sharpening stone and secures a cutting tool at a given angle on and in relation to the sharpening stone. The reciprocating movement of the sharpening stone allows for the precise sharpening of the cutting tool secured in the clamp.

The novel features which are considered as characteristic of the invention are set forth in particular in the appended claims. The invention, itself, however, both as to its design, construction and use, together with additional features and advantages thereof, are best understood upon review of the following detailed description with reference to the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the honing apparatus of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the honing apparatus of the present invention depicting an alternate position of the cutting tool relative to the sharpening stone as upon movement of the clamp unit of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the clamp unit of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the honing apparatus of the present invention with its cylindrically shaped clamp attachment for sharpening rounded tools.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the honing apparatus of the present invention with its sharpening stone removed and showing the block adapters of the present invention in place.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the honing apparatus of the present invention with a rounded sharpening stone in place between block adapters.

FIG. 7 is an end view of the honing apparatus of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the honing apparatus of the present invention showing the use of its “L” shaped guide attachment.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the “L” shaped guide attachment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the honing apparatus of the present invention showing its knife guide attachment.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the knife guide attachment of the present invention.

FIGS. 12 and 13 depict the manner of reciprocating movement of the sharpening stone tray of the honing apparatus of the present invention.

FIG. 14 is a partial exploded view of the honing apparatus of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Honing apparatus 1 of the present invention comprises housing 2 having top section 4 which is disposed within horizontal plane 13. First guide rail 6 extends along one side of top section 4 and second guard rail 8 extends along the opposite side of the top section. Sharpening stone tray 10 is located within top section 4, between guard rails 6 and 8. Sharpening stone 12 is positioned in sharpening stone tray 10 and is disposed in horizontal, transverse plane 3, parallel to horizontal, transverse plane 13 of top section 4. (See FIG. 5)

Clamp unit 14 is configured to secure a cutting tool, for instance tool 16, at a given angle in relation to sharpening stone 12, such that the tool contacts the surface of the sharpening stone. Clamp unit 14 comprises bevel table 18 having top plate 20 interconnecting downwardly extending side plates 22 and 24, clamp rails 23 and 25, support bar 27, and clamping nut 29. Clamp unit 14 is positioned over housing 2, such that clamp rails 23 and 25 are located over and on guide rails 6 and 8. Bevel table 18 is positioned such that side plates 22 and 24 extend over and on clamp rails 23 and 25. As best seen in FIG. 4, side plate 24 comprises pivot point 26 and arced slot 28 in which adjustment nut 30 extends. It should be understood that side plate 22, on the opposite side of bevel table 18, has an identical pivot pin arced slot, and clamping nut to that which is shown in FIG. 4 as to side plate 24.

By this positioning and configuration of clamp unit 14, clamp rails 23 and 25 permit forward and backward movement of clamp unit 14 along guide rails 6 and 8. Clamping nut 29 is tightened to secure the clamp in a stationary position. Pivot point 26, arced slot 28, and adjustment nut 30, and the comparable components of side plate 22, allow for angular adjustment of bevel table 18 of clamp unit 14 and cutting tool 16, which is secured in the clamp, in relation to sharpening stone 12. Angular readouts are provided by digital angle finder 31.

Top plate 20 of bevel table 18 comprises transverse extending slot 32. Cutting tool holder 19 of clam 14 is supported on top plate 20 of bevel table 18 through transverse slot 32 by means of clamp nuts 33 and 34. Thus, by loosening the clamp nuts, tool holder 19 can move laterally in relation to sharpening stone 12. Clamp unit 14 also comprises clamping screw 35 and clamping counter pressure screw 37. Planar adjustment screw 39 allows downward movement of cutting tool 16 so as to permit it to be sharpened on sharpening stone 12, without releasing it from clamp unit 14.

Sharpening stone tray 10 is positioned for reciprocating movement within housing 2 by drive means comprising motor 40, actuated by switch 41 which, through gearing 42, propels linkage 43 and then drive rod 44 in a reciprocating movement to so move sharpening stone tray 10 in the reciprocating movement within its horizontal, transverse plane 3, and parallel to horizontal, transverse plane 13. It is contemplated that the reciprocating movement or path of sharpening stone tray 10 will run at approximately 200 rpm. This will allow such cutting tools as tool 16 to be sharpened in a rapid and precise manner. However, it is contemplated that motor 40 can be configured to operate at variable speeds as well.

Lubricant containing bottle 50, holds water, oil, or other lubricant to be used in the cutting tool sharpening process. Bottle 50 comprises bottle connection 52 which extends into mounting block 3 located on guide rails 6 and 8 on top section 4 of housing 2. Bottle connection 52 extends through mounting block 5 to allow the lubricant to flow onto the surface of sharpening stone 12, to provide lubrication during the sharpening process. Residual lubricant is drained from sharpening stone 12 into channels 54 and 55 of housing 2. The lubricant is ultimately removed from the system via drain board 60, which leads to waste water collector 62 within the housing.

Lubricant containing bottle 50 is a squeeze bottle having a plastic top cap 58 which provides the connection for distribution of a lubricant through the bottle, thus allowing the operator of honing apparatus 1 to apply lubricant as needed.

Honing apparatus 1 also includes various accessories to accommodate sharpening stones of various sizes and different cutting tools. For instance, as seen in FIG. 5, block adaptors 70 and 72 are provided to accept smaller sharpening stones. Blocks 70 and 72 are also adapted to accommodate rounded sharpening stones, such as stone 74, for sharpening tools with rounded blades. As seen in FIG. 4 cylindrically shaped clamp attachment 78 is provided for sharpening rounded tools, such as rounded chisel 80.

Other tool accessories include “L” shaped guide attachment 82 for flat tools 83. Guide 82 has legs 84 and 86 which ride over guide rails 6 and 8. See FIGS. 8 and 9. Knife guide attachment 88 is configured for sharpening knives 90. Guide attachment 88 has base 92 and side guide wall 94 configured to ride beneath and along guide rail 6, and support block 96 with tightening clamp 98, which secures the guide attachment to the guide rail.

Honing apparatus 1 is designed to be used manually, with the operator having the ability to control the cutting tool operation, according to the tool which is being sharpened. The versatility of honing apparatus 1, including the simple and effective positioning of clamp unit 14 of the apparatus, allows for the honing or grinding of a large variety of different cutting tools.

Certain novel features and components of this invention are disclosed in detail in order to make the invention clear in at least one form thereof. However, it is to be clearly understood that the invention as disclosed is not necessarily limited to the exact form and details as disclosed, since it is apparent that various modifications and changes may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. 

1. A honing apparatus for sharpening a cutting tool, said apparatus comprising: a housing having a top section disposed in a horizontal, transverse plane, a first guide rail extending along one side of the top section and a second guide rail extending along the opposite side of the top section; a sharpening stone tray located within the top section and between the guard rails; a sharpening stone positioned within the tray; drive means located in the housing for providing reciprocating movement of the tray within a path parallel to the horizontal, transverse plane of the top section, whereby the reciprocating movement of the tray causes contemporaneous reciprocating movement of the sharpening stone within a path parallel to the horizontal, transverse plane of the top section; and clamp means for securing a cutting tool at a given angle on and in relation to the sharpening stone, whereby the reciprocating movement of the sharpening stone sharpens the cutting tool secured in the clamp means.
 2. The honing apparatus as in claim 1 wherein said tray is disposed in a horizontal, transverse plane parallel to the horizontal plane of the top section.
 3. The honing apparatus as in claim 1 wherein the clamp means comprises clamp rails and a bevel table extending over the sharpening stone, whereby the clamp rails are configured to move the bevel table forward and backward along the guide rails.
 4. The honing apparatus as in claim 3 wherein the bevel table comprises a top plate and interconnecting downwardly extending side plates extending over the clamp rails.
 5. The honing apparatus as in claim 4 wherein the side plates each have a pivot point and an arced slot to allow angular adjustment of the bevel table in relation to the sharpening stone, and a clamping nut extending through each slot o lock the bevel table in angles in relation to the sharpening stone.
 6. The honing apparatus as in claim 4 wherein the clamp means comprises a cutting tool holder and the top plate comprises a transverse extending slot for supporting the cutting tool holder.
 7. The honing apparatus as in claim 6 whereby the cutting tool holder is configured for movement along the bevel table laterally in relation to the sharpening stone.
 8. The honing apparatus as in claim 1 wherein the clamp means is located over the sharpening stone and is configured for forward and backward movement in relation to the housing and vertical movement for setting the angle of the cutting tool in relation to the sharpening stone.
 9. The honing apparatus as in claim 1 wherein the drive means comprises a motor operating a drive rod through gearing to provide the reciprocating movement of the tray.
 10. The honing apparatus as in claim 1 further comprising a sharpening stone lubrication system comprising a lubricant containing bottle and lubricant distribution channels.
 11. The honing apparatus as in claim 1 wherein the clamp means comprises a cylindrically shaped clamp attachment for securing round cutting tools at given angles in relation to the sharpening stone.
 12. The honing apparatus as in claim 1 further comprising block adapters positioned within the sharpening stone tray to accommodate sharpening stones of different sizes and shapes.
 13. The honing apparatus as in claim 1 further comprising an “L” shaped guide attachment which rides over the guide rails for sharpening cutting tools of different configuration.
 14. The honing apparatus as in claim 1 further comprising a knife guide attachment secured to one of the guide rails.
 15. The honing apparatus as in claim 1 wherein the drive means provides reciprocating movement of the tray and sharpening stone at 200 rpm.
 16. The honing apparatus as in claim 1 wherein the drive means provides variable speed reciprocating movement of the tray and sharpening stone. 